YEVGENI ZEMTSOV (1940-2016): String Quartet, Violin Sonata No. 1 “in memoriam Sergei Prokofiev”, Ballada for Violin and Piano, 3 Inventions for Piano, Ohnemass for Piano, 5 Japanese Poems for Soprano, 2 Violins and Cello, ZEMTSOV/ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992): 4 Estaciones Porteñas (arr. string quartet), Le grand Tango (arr. viola & string quartet).

Description: This Russian composer may be better known for the dynasty of musicians – most of them violists – that he fathered than he is for his own music. This first album ever to be devoted to his music features works from the beginning and end of his career: some early violin works, influenced by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, a Bartókian string quartet, three spirited and spiky piano miniatures, an oblique piano elegy and five late, enigmatic, almost ritualistic settings of Japanese haikus. Late in life, too, he discovered a fascination with tango, and the album also features his elegant arrangements for string quartet and quintet of two Piazzolla favorites. Utrecht String Quartet, David Zemtsov (violin), Mikhail Zemtsov (viola), Ekaterina Levental (soprano) and other performers.